UtiliCorp United began its quest to shore-up enough power supplycontracts to provide for the long-term needs of its 425,000customers in Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. The company is seekingto secure 1,250 MW of annual capacity for up to 15 years to helpmeet the demand from its customers.

UtiliCorp said on April 5 it plans to issue its request forproposal (RFP) for bids to supply 750 MW for its Missouri serviceterritory and 200 MW for Kansas. The company said it expects tobegin receiving power from the successful bidders on June 1, 2005.At a later date this summer, UtiliCorp said it will issue a RFP forbids to supply 300 MW to its Colorado service territories. Powerdelivery to Colorado is expected to begin on Jan. 1, 2007.

“One of the main reasons for obtaining these electric suppliesis the increasing electricity demand in our service territories,”said James G. Miller, CEO of UtiliCorp’s U.S. Utility unit.”Additionally, UtiliCorp has current purchase power contracts thatare set to expire over the next several years. The new set ofcontracts from this RFP process will ensure that ample and reliablepower supplies are available to our customers in the years tocome.”

The 1,250 MW the company is seeking is enough to supply annualpower to 300,000 homes. UtiliCorp has contracted Burns &McDonnell to provide an independent evaluation of the bids, withthe state regulatory commissions of Colorado and Missouri alsotaking part.

©Copyright 2001 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.